Civil-military dialogue calls for speedy unification of forces
April 5, 2023 (KAJO-KEJI) – A three day civil-military dialogue successfully concluded in Kajo-Keji County of Central Equatoria State with calls for expedition in unification of forces to avoid unnecessary creation of affiliated armed groups.
Community leaders, women, youth, local government officials, religious leaders, and members of the military representing government attended the dialogue.
Organized by Community Empowerment for Progress Organization (CEPO), the dialogue aimed are restoring trust and confidence between civilians and the military.
Speaking during the event, the Commissioner of Kajo-keji County, Phanuel Dumo admitted that the civil-military dialogue has helped in restoring the trust, confidence and hope between the civilians and the military in Kajo-Keji County.
He advocated for peaceful co-existence between civilians and military forces.
For his part, however, the Archbishop of Central Equatoria Internal Province (CEIP), Dr. Paul Yugusuk called for peaceful co-existence and social harmony between civilian and the military for sustainable peace to be realized in reality.
“All the resolutions from the dialogue should by fully implemented,” he stressed.
Meanwhile, the South Sudan Peoples Defense Force (SSPDF) commander for Ground force, Battalion 2, Kajo-Keji area, Gen. Malong Agat explained that peaceful co-existence is core in any mediation between civilians and the military.
“Community members, local leaders, religious leaders and the military should work hard to ensure all resolutions of the dialogue are implemented,” he stated.
Agat urged all parties to the peace deal to implement the security arrangements.
Due to the continued presence of armed rebel groups in the area and its neighbouring counties, the situation in Yei River County changed significantly following the escalation of conflict in 2016. This resulted in the significant internal displacement and migration across the neighbouring countries such as Uganda.
Moses Putia, the Project Manager for CEPO appealed to both the military and local authorities to bring to book all the perpetrators of different incidences in the county as a receipt for justice, accountability and the rule of law in Kajo-Keji.
The dialogue further resolved that state and county authorities continue to dialogue with neighboring communities on boundary and land issues; deploy police forces in all payams of the county; ensure county judicial systems, including court martial are functional; improvement of network services, among others.
The Reconciliation, Stabilization, and Resilience in South Sudan (RSRTF) project is designed to help communities in Yei, Lainya, Morobo and Kajo-Keji counties reconcile and end violence, bring stability where they live, and create new incentives to sustain peaceful coexistence. It led by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) with support from the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS).
(ST)